As sisters in Christ, we are taught to love, serve, nurture, and give. We pour into our children, our husbands, our churches, and our communities. But the Word of God reminds us that love begins at home.

Jesus said in Mark 12:31, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Notice He did not say instead of yourself. He said as yourself. That means we must care for our own souls, bodies, and minds so we can love others from a healthy place.

In 3 John 1:2, it says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” God desires us to be healthy, wealthy and prosperous! Rest is not weakness. Boundaries are not selfish. Time with God is not optional. It is necessary for the renewing of our mind, body and spirit. 

Even Jesus withdrew to pray (Luke 5:16). If our Saviour made time to step away and be restored, renewed and refreshed so must we.

As women of faith, self-care is not vanity. It is stewardship. We are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Taking care of ourselves honours God.

So Sisters, take the walk. Drink the water. See the doctor. Rest your mind. Guard your peace. Spend time in the Word. Remember, you cannot pour from an empty vessel.

Love begins at home and then spreads abroad.

#Beblessed

Sis. Trina James-Kendall

Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer  worthy to be called your son, Make me like one of your hired servants. Luke 15:18-19 (NIV)

The prodigal  son had wasted all of his father's inheritance on partying and making bad decisions. In desperation, he finally decided to return home feeling so unworthy of his father's love. He was basing his value on his  poor performance, but his father was still looking for him, he ran to him and embraced him then restored him to the full privileges of a son. There are two voices that come to us when we fall.
"God's not going to forgive you. Look what you've done, stay away" That's the accuser doing his best  to make you feel unworthy. But listen to the small voice "Come home. You’re  forgiven. I'm looking for you" God is not basing your value on your performance.  He knows who you are. If you don't think you deserved to be blessed, you'll push your blessings away. If you don't believe that you deserve to be loved then you'll push your love away.God is longing to be good to you. His mercy is bigger than any mistake, but you have to come home and receive it. What a great God.

-Sis Tameka Spencer-Thompson

Greetings Sisters!

This week, we are reading Colossians 3, where Paul discusses living a new life in Christ. After reading this week’s chapter, it reminded me or refreshed my perspective on my life in Christ. When we become saved, we become upgraded. In Christ, we have a new look, a new style, a new way of living. How many of us have taken a look inside our closets and taken an inventory of our clothes? As time passes, some clothes you thought looked great either look outdated, don’t fit, or look worn beyond their use. The skirt you purchased now looks too short. The jacket you loved and was so comfortable is now too tight. Our need to rid ourselves of our old clothes is similar to our decision to follow Christ. The old clothes of lust, idolatry, greed, and the love of this world don’t look good; they don’t fit and just look raggedy. New clothes need to be acquired.

I am sure you are all familiar with the feeling of getting new clothes. You feel different, you move differently, you feel better. Your new clothes and style can change how people perceive you and how you perceive yourself. When we decide that our walk will be in Jesus, we clothe ourselves in tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, love, and forgiveness. (Colossians 3:12, 3:14). Our new clothes bind us to our brothers and sisters in Christ, where we fellowship, teach each other, and share the wisdom that the Lord has provided. In our new clothes, we are harmonious, not only in song but also in how we operate in our households, with our families, at work, school, and wherever else we may be. In these clothes, we strive to be more like Jesus, enabling us to tell the good news, throw away the worn and tired clothes of sin, and boldly walk into a new life as God’s chosen. 

Be blessed this week, sisters!

Sis Amanda Cannada

In this second letter from the Apostle Peter, addressed to the early Christian believers, he seeks to stir up our minds to remember and be mindful of the words of the prophets about the coming of the Lord. He also warns us that in the last days mockers will come, walking in their own lusts, saying, “Where is the promise of the Lord’s coming?”

Peter urges believers not to be ignorant of God’s timing, for it is not like the timing of men. He is a faithful God who keeps His promises. He is long-suffering and patient, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, and we as believers should be looking for His promise of new heavens and a new earth as we live lives of righteousness. Let us stay watchful lest we be deceived and fall into error. We must remain steadfast and always live a life of repentance, expecting His soon return.

Min. Tonya M. Brooks

Bethesda sets aside the month of January as a way to begin the new year with a fresh start, just in case the previous one may have not gone at 100%. During this month we put our bodies, minds and Spirit through rigorous testing.  However, consecration isn’t just about rituals-it starts in the heart and it should be a lifestyle not just an occasional thing. It’s about choosing to give our thoughts, actions, and everyday lives to God and bring this body to submission. When we reflect on His Word, we’re reminded that living a consecrated life means putting God first and looking for ways to honor Him in what we do each day.
His Word remind us how important it is to set ourselves apart for God and how powerful a life dedicated to Him can be.

Consecration (plain and simple- consecration) means setting a person, place, or object apart for God’s sacred use.

• Giving yourself to God on purpose — choosing Him, not halfway, but fully. (EX 28:41 & ROM 12:1)
• Living differently — set apart, not because you’re “better,” but because you belong to Him. (LEV 20:7-8)
• Letting God clean you up and prep you — sometimes before the blessing comes. (JOS 3:5)

Consecration is both an act and a posture of the heart, choosing to belong FULLY to God and live for His PURPOSE. I urge you to be intentional this FULL year, not just the month of January. We want to be able to say in April, July, September and in December that although things came and went, I surpassed it all because God has kept me REFRESHED in my consecrated life for Him. “STICKING WITH IT” — not a one-day decision, but a daily “yes” to God. Consecration is saying, “God, I’m Yours.” It’s choosing to live set apart, letting Him work on you, and showing up every day willing to obey—even when it’s uncomfortable.

Stay Blessed,

Minister Belinda 

The Lord is my light and my salvation in God I trust.
God will protect me from mine enemies and my foes. When evil rise against me I have confidence in God.
Having a spiritual desire to serve the Lord.
God is my refuge.
When the devil come in like a flood. I will sing praises unto the Lord.
I will seek after God by crying out to God when in need of his help.
When my father and mother forsake me the Lord will take me up.
Guidance sought of the Lord because of mine enemies.
Seeing the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait upon God

 - Sis Sharon Richards

The passage stuck out to me because God is exampling exacting what we should be doing and that is following Him. We as Christians of Christ need to turn away from our flesh and stay spiritual investing in God. If you do so, He will reward you with great things. Psalm 37:1 NLT says " Don't worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong”. God is saying to us don't worry about anybody that is doing wrong or not following me. They will be dealt with but in other ways. We must keep our eyes on Him and stay planted in the Word, fasting and doing right. Just because someone you see is doing wrong doesn't mean you follow or decide to join in. When you decide to join or follow wickedness on this earth you become wicked. in verse 2 " For like grass, they soon fade away". The wicked will so fade away. They will be no more, nothing less. That is what will happen to us if we start to go down the wrong path. We will soon fade away.

The whole passage is basically talking about how God will punish those wicked ones that disobey Him, do wrong and  try to kill the poor or oppressed ones.Their lives came by death and abandonment. God destroyed them. The message I'm trying to get across with out sounding all over the place is that we need God more than anything on this earth right now. Let us not become of this world or flesh. Let us stay focused on Him and getting to heaven to be at peace. God will handle the rest. He always does.

-Sis. Philisha Smith

This scripture is a perfect sequel to Psalms 91. Last week we read about the blessings of dwelling with the Lord. This week we are given the keys to be ABLE to live in the House/Tent of the Lord.

Psalms 15 asks “who” can dwell with the Lord and then goes on to provide us the answer on what it takes. We have to check  ourselves regularly to see if the characteristics we are exhibiting are in alignment with being able to dwell with God.

As I read this week’s scripture it brought the following to mind. In my daily living I need to continually ask myself:

• Do I speak to others with truth and love? Not speaking out of hurt, fear or anger.
• Do I do what’s right even when no one is looking? Just because it IS the right thing to do.
• Am I faithful in keeping my promises? If I know that God is a promise keeper, then I should be too.
• Do I give from the heart? Not looking for something in return but because you want to give. God loves a cheerful giver.

In order to dwell and stay in God’s presence we have to continually strive for the characteristics David outlines in Psalms 15. This chapter was a great reminder to continually check in on our daily actions and make sure they are in alignment with staying in God’s presence.

Be blessed,
Sis Cheryl Battle-Ramiz

Psalm 91 is traditionally considered a part of the Psalms written by various authors, and often attributed to King David. It’s generally seen as a poetic expression of trust in God’s protection and presence. The psalm likely emerged in a period where the people of Israel faced threats from enemies, disease, or other dangers. It’s meant to reassure believers of God’s constant presence and deliverance. It’s also considered a kind of affirmation of faith and often recited in times of fear or uncertainty.

Psalm 91 is often referred to as a psalm of protection. It speaks about God's shelter and refuge, emphasizing that those who trust in Him will be safe from dangers and harmful situations. It mentions that God will deliver from snares, deadly pestilence, and will protect with His faithfulness. The psalm also talks about God's angels guarding and guiding the faithful, and it concludes with God promising rescue and honor to those who love and call on Him.

In today's world, Psalm 91 can speak to some modern-day equivalents that can include things like infectious diseases, such as pandemics or viruses, which can be seen as pestilence. Other traps might be things like cyber threats, data breaches, or identity theft. Harm could also include issues like financial instability, natural disasters, and even mental health challenges. The psalm’s message of protection and refuge can definitely be applied to these modern contexts, reminding believers that they can find solace and security in their faith despite these dangers. Psalms 91 assures us as believers of God’s unwavering protection, care, and faithfulness.

Embracing and possessing the promises of Psalm 91 at the start of the new year can be a source of encouragement and peace. One way is to meditate on its promises, reflecting onGod’s protection and faithfulness. You can also incorporate it into prayer, asking for God’s guidance and safety throughout the year. Another approach is to memorize the psalm or even recite it regularly, especially during challenging times. It can also be helpful to journal about the themes and promises in this psalm, reflecting on how it applies to your life and your journey in the new year. Ultimately, it’s about cultivating a sense of trust and assurance in God’s protection, care and love. Embracing a promise usually means having faith in it, trusting that it will come to pass, and holding it in your heart with anticipation.

Embracing a promise is more about emotional and spiritual acceptance. On the other hand, possessing a promise means that you have actually received or realized it in a tangible way. It’s the fulfillment and the actual manifestation of that promise in your life. So, in short, embracing is about faith and hope, while possessing is about the actual experience and reality.

In the context of Psalm 91, honor and long life are seen as blessings that God bestows upon those who trust in Him and remain faithful. Honor often means that God will give the believer a kind of dignity and respect, both in their own life and in the eyes of others. It might include a sense of purpose, respect within their community, and a legacy of faithfulness. Ultimately, honor and long life are blessings that reflect a life of divine favor and protection. Long life can also be understood as not just longevity in years, but also a fulfilling and meaningful life, marked by peace, well-being, and a close relationship with God. God honors us with long life and his blessings reflect a life of divine favor, peace and purpose. These blessings can be a source of encouragement and inspiration. Psalm 91 can be a powerful, refreshing influence on our lives as women of God.

Applying the 91st Psalm in daily life helps believers embrace the psalm for reassurance through prayer, and reflection, and it can be used as a source of strength and comfort. This Psalm can be transformative and refreshing. Meditating on the psalm can serve as a spiritual reset, offering a sense of renewal and calming the mind, helping us stay resilient and hopeful. With all of this being said, I encourage you to Embrace and Possess the Promises of God according to the91st Psalm, throughout every day of 2026, one day at a time.

God Bless you,

Evangelist Vanessa Wallace